About This Shade
Color Retouch 4.0 Dark Brown (level 4, neutral—also referenced as Darkest Brown on this page) is a demi-permanent, ammonia-free root touch-up that delivers up to 100% gray coverage in 10 minutes and lasts up to 4 weeks between permanent color sessions.
About Color Retouch
Garnier Color Sensation Color Retouch is an ammonia-free, demi-permanent root touch-up designed to refresh visible roots fast. The colorant mixes in your gloved hands and applies like shampoo—no bowl or brush needed. Pre-measured sachets provide the right amount to cover visible roots; process for 10 minutes for up to 100% gray coverage and color that lasts up to 4 weeks.
Color Retouch is vegan with no animal-derived ingredients. Approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Program.
Instructions of use
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Experience a stress-free, mess-free application with this non-drip formula—mix the developer and colorant 1:1 directly in your gloved hands until homogeneous, then apply to visible roots along your part and hairline.
Ideal amount for one application: each pre-measured sachet pair is dosed to cover visible roots; massage to ensure even saturation.
Always read the hair color instructions insert in the sachet. Do not use on bleached, highlighted, or lightened hair. Do not apply Color Retouch for more than 10 minutes. Store between 50° and 80°F.
Cover gray roots at the part and hairline in 10 minutes with this demi-permanent root touch-up—designed to blend seamlessly with dark brown shades.
Lasts Up to 4 Weeks
One application provides up to 4 weeks of gray coverage between permanent color sessions; longevity varies by wash frequency and hair porosity.
Easy Shampoo-Like Application
Ammonia-free formula applies like shampoo—mix developer and colorant in gloved hands, massage onto roots, and let the non-drip, oil-like colorant do the work; no bowl or brush needed.
How to Apply Color Retouch
01
Allergy Test
48 hours before each use, complete an allergy alert test—even if you have colored before.
02
Preparation
Drape a towel over shoulders and secure with a non-metal clip. Put on gloves. Cut open both sachets along the marked lines.
03
Pour
Dispense equal parts of developer and colorant into your gloved hands or a non-metal bowl.
04
Mix Together
Mix thoroughly until the texture is homogeneous.
05
Apply to Hair
Apply like shampoo to dry, unwashed hair—focusing on visible roots.
06
Massage & Wait
Massage to distribute evenly. Leave on for 10 minutes.
07
Rinse Off & Condition
Rinse with lukewarm water until it runs clear; then use your usual conditioner or hair care.
08
Reveal Your New Look
Dry and style as usual.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use Garnier Color Sensation Color Retouch if I use another hair color brand?
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Average Customer Ratings
Quality of Product
Quality of Product, 2.7 out of 5
2.7
Value of Product
Value of Product, 2.7 out of 5
2.7
Most Helpful Favorable Review
5 out of 5 stars.
Give it a try
trish58
a year ago
This stuff is great. I've never been a fan of Garnier, but this product changed my mind. Easy to apply. Covers the roots and blends in nicely with my overall hair color. Tip: put on the gloves and add half of each packet. Do the front roots. Then, add the rest of both packets and work towards the back of your head.
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17 people found this helpful
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Most Helpful Critical Review
1 out of 5 stars.
Terrible
Oh No
a year ago
No way the light brown is light brown...it dyes a very dark brown color. It looks and feels like I painted my hair with dark brown paint even after rinsing it multiple times. I really wanted to like this product as it seemed like a potentially great idea.
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16 people found this helpful
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PrisB
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
Review 1
Votes 0
4 out of 5 stars.
Good fix for greys!
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
2 days ago
Good touch up for grey hair and it lasted quite a while but I wish it was longer. Packaging and instructions were clear. Mixing and Application was easy!
I was hesitate to try this, but oh boy. This product is made with quality and the mix was NOT messy. I love it. It actually appears better than the actual big box. I will definitely use again. My hair is neck length and fine and it was enough after putting on regrowth, to actually spread out down to the tips. I love this product and will get it again, for touch ups. Very easy to use and great results I am a bit confused though, I read a lot of bad reviews, but my experience was exceptional!
Soooo I was a bit skeptical about this root touch up when I saw this packet that resembled a pack of noodles. lol I felt that there was no way this would cover my roots. But to my surprise, it was just enough product. The instructions were not the best method so I instead mixed it in a bowl and applied like a normally would apply my dye. I’m sure that defeated the purpose of this being like a root touch up shampoo but I needed both hands to section off and apply evenly. 10 mins was just enough time to allow the product to sit. Now while my roots were not the same color as the rest of my hair, it definitely served the purpose of covering my greys. I would recommend this product but I’m just not a fan of the application instructions.
I gave Garnier Color Sensation Retouch in red color 3 stars because it is affordable, easy to use, and takes only 10 minutes to apply and 20 minutes to leave it on my hair.
However, I did not notice a big difference after using it since my hair color looked almost the same and the red effect was very subtle.
Another downside is that the color kept coming out when I washed my hair. Even after deep washing, I could still see color in the water after about five to six washes.
In overall, it is convenient for a quick touch-up, but the result was not as noticeable as I expected.
I don't know howwww this is amonia free, it stunk to high heaven like a 30-40vol on my head. I did my roots in September with the brown and it turned out black and a super dense matte no shine color, I've used clarifying shampoos AND color oops and this still will not fully come out of my hair... so now I am left with a super dark brown 5ish level band around my head..my hair goes gray roots...drk brown band.. strawberry blond faded professional color, I am very not happy about this.
Hi GrayLiz, We are sorry to hear about your experience using Color Retouch. We would like to help! Please call Garnier @ 800-442-7643 M-F 9:00am-5:30pm ET., and provide case #45757057. We look forward to your call!
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Average Customer Ratings
Quality of Product
Quality of Product, 2.7 out of 5
2.7
Value of Product
Value of Product, 2.7 out of 5
2.7
Most Helpful Favorable Review
5 out of 5 stars.
Give it a try
trish58
a year ago
This stuff is great. I've never been a fan of Garnier, but this product changed my mind. Easy to apply. Covers the roots and blends in nicely with my overall hair color. Tip: put on the gloves and add half of each packet. Do the front roots. Then, add the rest of both packets and work towards the back of your head.
Show Full Review
17 people found this helpful
Show Reviews:
5and 4
Most Helpful Critical Review
1 out of 5 stars.
Terrible
Oh No
a year ago
No way the light brown is light brown...it dyes a very dark brown color. It looks and feels like I painted my hair with dark brown paint even after rinsing it multiple times. I really wanted to like this product as it seemed like a potentially great idea.
Show Full Review
16 people found this helpful
Show Reviews:
32and 1
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Pilot
Review 1
Votes 11
5 out of 5 stars.
Fantastic
2 months ago
I was very skeptical when I purchased this and then recieved two packet !!
But to my surprise I was taken away with the ease and final results !
Highly reythis product and will continue with further use !! Thank you garnier !!!❤️
Garnish retouch is like a rescue squad for those annoying grey hairs . The formula leaves your hair looking soft and supple while simultaneously aging you backwards ! The development application is simple and easily washes out plus anyone can use it whether you have fine and brittle hair or bouncy and glossy this product will enhance and boost that all natural color, look,and feel !!
Color your roots or change for life in color completely. This product can do it all! Even wit
Th dark brown hair this red color offered more than just showing as a highlight in the sun!
The product is great, it covers my stubborn grey hair and last 4 to 5 weeks most other hair colors don't cover my greys well. The gloves are awful it doesn't matter what I do the hair color always gets onto my fingers even with Vaseline on them to try to not get it on them. I been coloring my own hair for 20 years and don't have that problem with other brands. The color blends well with my dark brown hair and this is my go to for a quick grey cover up. If your hair isn't very dark brown don't get the darkest brown get the light brown it will be the color of a darker brown but not almost black brown I think people who are ending up with their hair to dark aren't getting the right color for their hair.
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anthonys14_9130
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
Review 1
Votes 0
5 out of 5 stars.
I will get again
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
4 months ago
Great products I use all the time and great value for your money it's great for need some now I think I will go get me some now for the weekend coming up and thank you
Quick, easy application with a nice, pigmented color. I experienced a little staining, but nothing too extreme or out of the ordinary. Not bad for an at home retouch!
Love this product , it covered the gray hairs very good . It looks like I went to a salon , the quality is great and the smell also. Very easy to apply , I will buy this product for sure . It didnt leave any stains on skin.
Smells great and lasted long without fading. Stains a little bit but the application was easy and my hair felt so soft after! I’ve used this before and always reach for it. Price is great
This dye was OK. I have very thick natural hair and wanted Grey coverage. I found that the included tools were excellent, and the color appeared nice and dark. The only problem that I had was that, while it made my hair so shiny and soft, it didn't seem to cover my Grey hairs. They are stubborn!
This is after I used the garnier color retouch in the shade black I had a lot of gray hair and this worked as a great coverage option. I recommend to anyone who has gray hairs and is looking for some coverage. This left my hair shiny and remained healthy. The ordor was expected as any drugstore brand would usually smell. It's an affordable option.
It's a great product the color didn't really work on my hair but it was easy to use didn't smell to bad would definitely try it again with more than one
Ive used garnier products since forever but this one not only irritated my scalp but its SO black, like jet black even blue undertones are visible how is it possible for a brown dye... so disappointed in this one
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Quality of Product
Quality of Product, 1.0 out of 5
1.0
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Value of Product, 1.0 out of 5
1.0
Response from Garnier:
5 months ago
Garnier
Hi jules234, We are sorry to hear about your experience with Color Retouch. We would like to speak to you directly about it. Please call Garnier @ 800-442-7643 M-F 9:00am-5:30pm ET., and provide case # 44086594. We look forward to your call!
JenniP1996
Review 1
Votes 7
1 out of 5 stars.
It stained my entire hair BLACK
6 months ago
I was debating between the mid brown and the light brown. I devided mid brown was probably a better match.
Used it and applied it as directed. Washed it out.
Excited to see how my fresh roots looked I grabbed my föhn.
Once dry I discovered to my great horror it somehow stained my entire hair BLACK while washing it out and it is still black a week later. Black really does not suit me so I am embarressed and now need to color strip an re-dye my whole hair.
Also I swear I can still see some grey on my roots.
Note that I have shoulderblade length thick hair and one box of full dye is often scanty for me.
This product is way overpowered and the color scale must be adjusted a full point lower.
Only pros is that it is easy to use and doesn't trigger any of my allergies like most dyes.
Love the color. I will use this brand going forwar
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
6 months ago
Tue application was easy and the coverage as well as shade was top tier. The package was well put together and the smell was ni nice. I would definitely recommend to others.
So, I gave this a lot of time so I could truly assess the product. I’m an elder millennial and starting to find more and more grays (yikes!). I used this product to cover those and was a bit nervous. However! Application was incredibly easy and smooth, though somewhat messy. I do wish this came in individual packets for small touchups…so it won’t feel like a waste to use a big packet each time. Anyway, no damage to my hair and the product did provide coverage without negative results. Using my regular hair routine, I did not experience breakage or dryness. The color lasted for about a month and started to turn to a reddish before going back gray. Overall I’m pleased with the product and will purchase more
they dye took really well on my moms grey hair it just leave slight staining on the skin so be careful applying and make sure to just get the strains of hair it smelled a little chemically but the color did its job
The shade is very accurate, full coverage and gave my hair the jet black that I was looking for. No bad smell a the application process was super easy and beginner friendly. Easy rinse to off and leaves absolutely no stains at all.
This little miracle in a tube SAVED me. Garnier Color Retouch in Shade 1.0 Black covered my grays instantly—like magic. The packaging is sleek and easy to handle, with a precision applicator that made touch-ups feel foolproof. My hair felt soft and healthy afterward. And the color was spot on. Deep, rich black that blended seamlessly with my natural shade. The application process was quick, mess free, and perfect for last minute fixes. I’m obsessed.
Was happy to receive this from Influenster for reviewing purposes. This l'oréal dye box exceeded my expectations. It has a scent to it and it worked very well on my hair.
I have just used this product tonight, and it is very easy to mix and apply. It rinses out very easily, and it covers my gray hairs flawlessly. It even smells great and matches my hair's natural colour!
I was really surprised by how easy Garnier Color Retouch is easy to use. It freshens up my color, softens my hair, and gives it a nice shine without feeling heavy. It’s perfect for extending the time between full dyes, and it makes my hair look refreshed in just one wash. Super convenient and affordable for a quick color boost.
This left my hair shiny and feeling healthy even after getting it dyed! It didn’t have a bad smell to it and it left my hair nice and dark. It was easy to follow instructions and the unused dye washed off easily.
The accuracy of the color! I colored my blonde hair with this and a HIT! Not too unbearably stinky. The box was easy to use instructions and I really liked the squeeze tube - not a whole lot of mess making in my bathroom.
This product was very good and easy to use. Gentle on the hair. I had black hair which Gave beautiful shine that lasted for a while . Would definitely recommend
Amazing Product. I have been dying my hair black for years tried many brands and This color retouch from Garnier color sensation left my hair shiny and vibrant. Packaging is cute and simple easy to open. Application simple aswell get yourself a hairdye root bottle and easy to apply. Defenitely recommend to get this hairdye for your hair.
A Radiant Refresh: My Experience with Garnier Colo
INCENTIVIZED
Received Free Product
8 months ago
I love keeping my vibrant red hair looking fresh. But with my busy schedule, touching up my roots can feel like a hassle. That's why I was excited to try the Garnier Color Sensation Color Retouch product. The packaging caught my eye right away. The rich red shade on the box matched the color I aim for. Plus, the promise of a "shampoo-like application" and "no ammonia" formula sounded perfect for a quick and gentle solution. My main concern with hair color products is the application process. I worry about making a mess and the strong chemical smell. I was pleasantly surprised by this product. The instructions were clear, making it easy to prepare and mix. The color had the right consistency thick enough to stay put without dripping, yet easy to spread evenly. The scent was nearly nonexistent. Gone are the days of overpowering fumes; this product had a mild, almost pleasant fragrance. The "shampoo-like application" truly lived up to its promise. I could focus on my root regrowth with precision. The whole process felt more like a deep conditioning treatment than a chemical coloring. The 10-minute development time was a game-changer for me. It let me fit a root touch-up into my morning routine without feeling rushed. The most important part is the result. After rinsing, conditioning, and blow-drying my hair, I was thrilled. The color blended seamlessly with my existing red, giving me a vibrant, consistent look from roots to ends. There were no harsh lines or patchy spots—just a beautiful, rich red. My hair felt soft, looked shiny, and showed no signs of dryness or damage, thanks to the no-ammonia formula. It covered all my regrowth, bringing my hair back to life and extending the freshness of my color. This product delivered on its promise to "retouch root regrowth" and "refresh lengths." It has become essential in my hair care routine for keeping my beloved red hue between full coloring sessions.
Color is much darker than rich brown. Plus some got on my skin and I have tried so many products to get it off to no avail. Now my skin is red from all the rubbing. AND you have not answered my request to recommend a solution.
Hi Boo3, We are so sorry to hear about your experience regarding Color Retouch staining your skin. We would like to speak to you directly about it. Please call Garnier @ 1- 800-442-7643 Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET. Provide case # 42715451. We look forward to your call!
Stacey84
Review 1
Votes 4
1 out of 5 stars.
Too Dark
9 months ago
The product was easy to use but was so much darker than stated and did not blend at all with my existing color.
Honestly, I was not impressed by this product. I have had better results with different products. I was not put off by the smell as I’m normally gaging. My hair went from a very dull ashy black to more of a rich black and it made my heart appear healthy. I did not see any places where the color did not take, so it did what it was supposed too.
It added a subtle brightness to my brown but it wasn’t too much for it to really be drastically noticeable which I liked the downside being once you run out the color fades really quickly
A: Hi Baby Teardrop, Yes, you can mix hair color in a different container, like a plastic or glass bowl. We hope you enjoy using Color Retouch. Thanks for your interest in Garnier!
GarnierConsumerCare5 months ago
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Q: Got some of this dye on my skin and can't get it off. Please help!
A: Hi Boo3, We are sorry to hear about your experience! To remove hair color stains from your face, act quickly and use gentle methods like makeup remover, baby oil. Put make up remover on the stain first for a few minutes before you rinse. We hope this helps!
GarnierConsumerCare8 months ago
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Q: If I have hair to the middle of my back do I need to use multiple packages of this or is one sufficient for just my crown area basically roots cover up?
LilBit5249 months ago
0 AnswersAnswer this Question
Q: I’m basically just trying to cover grays until I can have it done, professionally. Do I just use the color retouch for my entire head? Or are you supposed to use box dye first then go in with retouch after that starts growing out?